Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sweeney.
Elizabeth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in the business working the summers for my Father’s company CinemaVideo Center, it was a full-service Film Lab/Video post & production/audio recording/and a video/audio duplication business. I had started from the floor up working the first summer in the film lab the next summer moving up to the audio recording studio this is where I discovered I loved the business over those summer I went from being a very shy teenager to being able to deal with the many cranky customers who all needed to have something same day I enjoyed the rush of being able to complete the task at hand and doing so was able to increase business by 100% all while making new friends in the industry. I decided to attend college at night while working for my Father after graduating I continued on in the Audio broadcast duplication quickly moving to video duplication department. After several years I was promoted to managing the department and was in charge of staff and customer relations and responsible for two million dollars of work. In the mid 90’s right after I was married, my father sold the company and the new owners were not very interested in the duplication end of the business so the next several years were challenging. After the birth of my twin girls I felt it was a good time to expand my horizon the new owners where not moving in the new direction of DVDs and I needed to learn more about this technology that was taking over for VHS so I moved on selling for a DVD Broker. But after a short term there, I was not happy only selling so when another competitor called I jumped at the opportunity to go work with him and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. George Marton owned Global Video over the next several years he mentored me to not only know how to manage but taught me how to run a business. In 2010 George was going back to his corporate roots and ask me if I wanted to purchase Global Video, I hesitated for a moment because at that time the business was also changing and I knew it would be challenging to keep it going but I felt if anyone could do it I could so with a plan on downsizing and moving from the high priced streeterville area to the west side I moved forward. The next several years were good but challenging things started to change slowly on the technical side but after 3 years we seen a big dip DVD started to go away you were able to move files over the internet much easier video tape was all but gone. I needed to adjust my business again so we started to focus on the core which was video tape archiving and closed captioning and editing. Clients we have Archived for include many large corporations such as NBC, Brunswick, John Deere, Hillshire Brands, Pepsi one of our largest projects to date was for the Smashing Pumpkins. One of the most heartbreaking and served as a great learning moment. When we were called in to pick up tapes at the old Playboy building they needed us to finish archiving a large batch of tapes before the company was downsizing and moving out we walk in on the day before the last day of the move all the halls and offices where empty and you felt the ghost of the once bustling offices how things can change in a moment with technology that day I was sad for the employees who lost their job who maybe did not see it coming and it taught me a lesson never take your job or life for granted things can change fast so everyday at some point in my day I wonder how technology can change and what can I do to change with it. Very challenging. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful and dedicated staff who also have worked in the industry for decades.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, never smooth. We have one or two very good years. But each year brings another story. New technology or a new service you would think in our business that it was universal but there are many different specifications for individual platforms so you need to adjust.
I would say the biggest struggle is always trying to figure out what are customers need and what we can do to make their job easier we always strive to make things as easiest as possible, what can we take off their plate so they don’t have to worry about it. At this time, that is what I am trying to find out from my various long-term customers. What can we help you with? not an easy question when they see their industry changing everyday as well.
I have not struggled with my staff. I have been very fortunate to have wonderful individuals through the good and bad times.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Global Video story. Tell us more about the business.
We specialize in Digital Archiving of all Media, Video tapes, Film, Audio, Slides and Photos.
Closed Captioning for broadcast and for internet platforms.
Blue Ray and DVD Authoring and Replication, USB Duplication, DCP Film Packages, Quick Video Editing projects, Streaming Video Solutions -Custom solutions.
We now offer a unique way to monetize your video assets on your own website with your own player.
Live Streaming solutions for fundraising monetize your live stream.
All jobs of all sizes are welcomed.
I am most proud of our customer service. We are here to help we will work with each individual or company to find the best option for your needs all within your budget. I am very proud that my team has over 40 years in the business and that no matter what media you bring in chance is one of us is an expert in it.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The role of luck, well to me it all kind of happens for a reason. Each decision brings you to your path in life and business so I guess I would say I only believe in luck or bad luck in gambling.
Pricing:
- Video Tape transfer for as low as $10 per tape
- Film Transfers for as low as $20 per reel
- Streaming Video Solutions as low as $199
Contact Info:
- Address: Global Video
413 North Carpenter Street, Ste LLW
Chicago, IL 60642 - Website: www.globalvideochicago.com
- Phone: 312-475-9200
- Email: lizs@globalvideochicaog.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/globalvideochicago.com
- Yelp: www.yelp.globalvideo.c0m
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Our team enjoying music at City Winery waiting for our client to go on stage.
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